Projects
Targeting disturbed lipophagy promotes remyelination in multiple sclerosis Hasselt University
Analysis of the role of the Parkinson's disease-linked protein DJ-1 in mitophagy KU Leuven
Parkinson’s disease is a very common brain disease characterized by slowness of movement, tremor, falls, dementia and many other problems. There is still no therapy that slows down its relentless progression. In Parkinson’s disease dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain gradually die. Why these cells die, is not well understood. In some familial cases Parkinson’s disease is caused by genetic mutations. Rare mutations in the genes for ...
Analysis of the role of the LRRK2 substrate Rab10 in mitophagy KU Leuven
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common, progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which no cure exists. In this project, we will make use of fibroblasts and iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons from patients with PD to unravel pathogenic mechanisms of mutations in the PARK7 gene, the rarest cause of autosomal recessive PD. Many different roles for DJ-1 have been reported, but a clear picture of its molecular function has not emerged yet and the ...
The role of deubiquitinases in Parkin-mediated mitophagy and Parkinson's disease. KU Leuven
Mitophagy and the control of lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans Ghent University
Because of their role in energy metabolism and redox balance, mitochondria are probably of crucial importance to the aging process. By use of a mitchondrially targeted photoswitchable protein, we study the mitochondrial autophagy and renewal in aging worms as well as in mutants with extended lifespan.
Disturbed lipid processing skews foamy macrophages to a disease-promoting phenotype in MS Hasselt University
Role of lymphatic endothelial cell-associated autophagy in melanoma dissemination KU Leuven
Lymphatic vessels are a crucial component of the circulatory system that maintains homeostasis by facilitating tissue fluid and dietary fat absorption and aid in inflammatory and immune responses. Disruptions in their function, driving either excessive lymphatic growth or contraction, have been linked to various diseases, including inflammation, cancer metastasis, and lymphedema. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate lymphatic vessel ...